Marlins hope to bring Mike Lowell, Luis Castillo to spring training

Manager Mike Redmond said he has invited two former Marlins teammates to serve as guest instructors during spring training — third baseman Mike Lowell and second base Luis Castillo.

If both players agree, which Redmond expects, they will suit up in Marlins uniforms and spend a few days at Roger Dean Stadium.
“We are working on it. It’s not 100 percent sure but we are trying to lock down dates for those guys,” Redmond said.

Lowell and Castillo won Gold Gloves for the Marlins and were teammates with Redmond when the Marlins won the World Series in 2003.

“When we talk about things like changing the culture, I think for me it’s important to bring back good guys, guys I played with, guys who were great players with the Marlins, great guys in the community,” Redmond said.

“Those two guys meant so much to our team, to the franchise.

“I want to bring these guys back and have them out on the field, even if it’s just for a couple of days.”

Lowell and Castillo won’t have any specific duties. Redmond just wants them to be around his players to talk.”

Redmond originally wanted them to come the first week in March, but it’s looking like it could be the second week in March at the earliest.

Redmond talks to and sees Lowell fairly often. They both went skiing together in the off-season.

Redmond and Castillo also played together for the Minnesota Twins from 2006-07. Redmond caught up with Castillo a few days ago on the phone.